Please feel free to forward this site to anyone who may have known Sylvia.

Her obituary can be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/redding-ca/sylvia-berry-9193452

You can listen to my eulogy here: https://soundcloud.com/salient-king/mom/s-iy5aOKcoEHQ

(Note that when I recorded this, we were going to use MyKeeper. Please ignore the part at the end and use this website instead. Thank you.)

Transcript of eulogy:
One of the last things Mom told me is that she keeps the memories of those she loved close to her heart and that I should do the same for her. So that’s what I intend to talk about: memories.

One of Mom’s favorite memories was of when she was very young. For a time she lived with her grandma, and she loved to run around in shorts and play. She liked to climb a plum tree, pick the ripe fruit, and run down to the creek and put her feet in the water while enjoying her treat. I think she kept this peaceful scene close to her heart. It helped her get through the more painful times in her life.

One of my favorite memories of Mom is when she took me to the premier of Star Trek 6. I think I was maybe 9 at the time. We showed up and there was this huge line of fans waiting outside for the theater to open up. I remember my mom went up to the place, and told someone there something like “My son doesn't feel very well, can we wait inside?” I was confused. I felt fine. Good thing I didn't say anything, because we got some great seats right in the middle.

When I was a kid, it seemed like I got sick a lot. So I have a lot of memories of my mom taking care of me. I remember on more than one occasion having to go into the ice bath. Poor Mom, I remember my discomfort, but I bet she was really worried.

I remember another time when I was young, I was outside in a kiddy pool when I heard my mom start vacuuming. At the time my favorite pass time was attacking the vacuum with my toy Voltron sword. Boy, that must have been annoying. So I grabbed my sword and ran inside, but I tripped and cut my knee open really badly. I had to crawl toward my mom. At first I bet she thought I was playing around. She realized I wasn't and rushed me to the hospital. I was really scared and she comforted me in the car all the way there. Once we got there though I kept kicking the doctors that were trying to help. So they had to tie me down. Poor Mom, that must have been embarrassing.

I also felt embarrassed with how often she would come down to school to yell at a teacher or the principal. Sometimes she’d even sit in on my classes. But now, I'm just thankful she cared.

Some of the warmest memories of that time were just being at home playing next to her chair while she watched day time soaps or crocheted. Occasionally I’d play with her yarn, she’d look down and not be too happy about that.

She wanted me to have every advantage. She saved up and bought me my first computer. It cost nearly 3 grand, and that was a lot of money back then. I spent a lot of time with that computer, and it definitely set me off towards getting my computer science degree. But, throughout the years she'd often say, "I wish I'd never bought you that damn computer." I was obsessed with computers, games, and then the internet. I think it upset her that I could be so close yet so far away. She said, "I wish I had never bought that damn computer," one last time to me before she passed, and I told her that I wish that she hadn't, too. It distracted me from spending more time with her. Terence Mckenna said "We are much more suited for dancing, than for whatever it is that we have been doing," and the older I get, the more I agree. I guess my point is: put down that smart phone from time to time. Life is too short.

Mom loved comic books when she was young, we watched all the comic book movies that came out over the last decade or so together. It was a great way to bond, and I'm glad she enjoyed them. Her favorite comic as a kid was Aquaman, so I’ve seen that movie now at least 50 times. That’s the kind of movie she preferred, with a happy ending where everything works out.

I'm very lucky, for my mom loved me a great deal. She was always there to help me when I needed help the most.

Before she passed, Mom told me it was important to keep those you love alive in your memories and keep them close. I'd love to hear your memories of my mom. If you have a moment, please share them here. If you have more than a moment, please share them in person.

I love you very much Mom, you were the best.